Hip Fracture

Description

A complete fracture of the hip, usually just below the ball of the hip or upper part of the femur, at the head and neck of the femur, is often caused by a fall or forceful contact. A complete fracture is when the broken bone is completely separated. This fracture type may be displaced (the bones are not completely touching, if at all, or are angulated) or not displaced (the ends are in proper alignment and touching fully). These injuries are infrequent in sports, but when they do occur, they tend to occur in the senior athlete, although they may occur in athletes of any age.

Common signs and symptoms

• Severe pain in the hip or groin that worsens with movement of the hip and any attempt at standing on the injured extremity

• Tenderness, bleeding, bruising, and swelling at the hip

• The leg may appear shortened and the foot turned out

• Inability to stand

• Numbness, tingling, paralysis, or loss of a pulse below the fracture site (rare)

Causes

• A force greater than the bone can withstand, usually a direct blow, such as a fall onto the hip

• Indirect stress by twisting or violent muscle contraction

Factors that increase risk

• Advanced age (over 60 years)

• Contact sports

• Falls from heights

• Cycling

• Bony abnormalities, including osteoporosis and tumors of bone or bone marrow

• Poor balance

• Poor nutrition, including calcium and protein deficiencies

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